Mechanism for rubbing and polishing



June 12, 1928. 1,673,160

l.. l.. Ross MEGHANISM FOR RUBBING AND POLISHING Filed June 6, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A J ,i4 i /f' Z7 Z- (-1 {bja/,C ,Waff ,1i/M ff @www amj//WW Patented June 12, 1928.

UiNlTED STATES PATENTA OFFICE.

LLOYD L. ROSS, DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES FENNELL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN. y

MECHANISM FOR '.R'UBBING AND POLISHING.

Application filed June 6, 1924. `Serial No. 718,261.

My invention relates to devices for rubbing and polishing surfaces, such as furniture, automobile vbodies and the like. y

The obj ect of my invention is to provide a mechanism for sanding, rubbing and polishing, of simple, durable and inexpensive construction, whereby power may be applied for the purpose,

More particularly, it is my object to provide in such a device or mechanism a movable head preferably mounted for rotation and to provide Aa flexible rubbing element thereon in connection with springs interposed between the head and the rubbing element in such manner that when the rubbing element is pressed against the surface to be rubbed or such surface is pressed against the element, thesprings will yieldingly engage the element at a plurality of points for insuring the effective operation ofthe device on flat and other surfaces.

A further object consists in providing novel means for mounting the polishing -element and the springs on the head.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide in connection with such/ a mechanism suitable means for feeding an abrasive to the rubbing element when desired and for accurately regulating the flow of such abrasive to the rubbing element.

More particularly, in thelatter respect, it is my purpose to provide in connection with the rubbing device itself a tank and a tube with means for positively feeding the abra` sive from the tank to the tube and with a valve for controlling the flow of abrasive through the tube. y

Still another purpose of my invention is to provide in connection with such -a feeding mechanism, means for supplying water or other liquid to or with the abrasive.

Another general purposel is to provide a rubbing or polishing mechanism of the kind herein mentioned in which the head is mounted upon a support, which support may invention consistsl in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: y

Figure 1 shows an elevation partly in section of the head of a rubbing and polish# ing machine embodying my invention with connected parts.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the4 head, the rubbing element and'springs being shown in positions illustrating the opera'- tion of the device. C

Figure 3 shows a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a detail, sectional view of the parts of the head ready for assembling.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken o n the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

- Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the feeding tank for the abrasive and part of the operat-ing mechanism.

Figure 8 shows a detail view partly in4 section ofthe device, part of the tank and f operating mechanism being broken away.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the lline 9-,9 of\Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the head; and Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 11-11 of Figure 10 to illustrate the connection of the rubbing element tothe rotatable portion of the head.

Generally speaking, my invention may be illustrated in a rotatable head carrying polishing and rubbing means and a tank and connected parts for supplying abrasive to the head.

I shall first describe the head which might be used under some circumstances without the abrasive feeding means,

I have illustrated the polishing head or instrument in the form adapted for manual manipulation andmovement from place to place, Ibut it is obvious that it could be used by mountingit so, that the article to be rubbed or polished could bemoved into adl Justed position vwith relation to the rubbing element.

The head indicated in the .accompanying- 'drawings by the reference numeral 10 hast c Y generally the form of a cylinder having in its upper surface 10a a cylindricalvrecess 11 and extending therefrom to its lower surface a reduced internally screw-threaded opening 12. The body of thefhead 1'0 at the bottomA of the opening 1l is undercut to form an enlarged opening 11a of greater diameter than the opening 11. J There are arranged in the enlarged portion 11a of the opening 11, what I may call catch walls 64. These walls extend from the wall of the enlarged opening 11a, as shown for instance in Figure 4, inwardlytoward the center of the head 10 and thence in the direction of rotation'of the head and substantially paralleling the wall surrounding the enlarged portion 11a of the opening 11. A series of for instance four holes 13 is provided, each hole 13 extending from what ZOLI may call the under surface ofthe head 10 upwardly into the body thereof to the en-Q larged portion 11ct of the opening 11 between one of the walls 64 and the wall of the portion 111. 2.5 The lower part of the head 10 is tapped and provided with a series of spaced screw i" holes 14 extending radiallyinwardly from its outer surface and so arranged as not to register with the holes 13 for receiving screws 't 30 hereinafter mentioned, which are used for fastening the springs, also hereinafter more fully explained, to the head.

An operating shaft 15 has a screwthreaded end 16 adapted to be screwed into the screw-threaded opening 12, as shown in Figure 1.

The shaft 15 may have a shoulder 17 as shown in` Figure 5, for obvious purposes.

The screw-threaded end 16vof the shaft 15 is tapped to provide a central screw- `threaded opening 18, shown in Figures 1 and 5 to receive the' screw 19 hereinafter again referred to.

A rubbing element, which may have a Variety of forms, but which should have flexibility is provided.

Inthe particular form of my invention illustrated herein, I have shownrthe rubbing A element 20, as composed of a couple of layers of carpet-like material, felt, emery cloth, sand paper, or any suitable material.

The `rubbing or polishing element 20 may be mounted on the head so as to be yieldingly acted upon by the springsyhereinafter described ina great variety of ways.

In the illustrated form of my invention, I provide an annular plate 21, having a plurality of upstanding hollow posts or tubes 22, as illustrated for instance in Figure 5, o0 designed to project into the holes`13 in the head 10. y 1 i 'In the particular form of my invention here shown, the plate 21 is placed adjacent to the underside of the rubbing element 20 with the tubes 22, projecting upwardly through the member 20, as shown for instance in Fi ure 1, and extending through holes 2()b in t e member 20 into the holes13. rIhe plate 21 is provided with a central hole or openinf 23 and the screw 19 is extended through the opening 23 in the plate 21 and through the hole 20c in the lrubbing element 20 and is then screwed into the hole 18 in what may be called the lower part of the shaft 15, as shown in Figure 1.

.IVhenJthe parts are assembled to the extent just mentioned, it will be seen that the tubes- 22 furnish passages from the outer part of the enlarged poition'11rl of the opening 11 through the lower part of the head 10 and through the rubbing element 20 and the plate 21 to the central under-surface of the rubbing element 20. These passages 22 are vused for conducting abrasive to the under or rubbing side 20a of the rubbing element 20 in the manner hereinafter more fully explained.

` These spring arms 24 in the form of the(` invention here illustrated have at their inner ends-upwardly projecting portions 25 standing adjacent to the outer surface of the lower part of the head 10. A holding band 26 is arranged just outside the upright portions 25 of the spring arms 24 and is rigidly locked to the portions 25 and to the head 10 by means of a series ofl screws 27 screwed into the holes 14 hereinbefore referred to.

It will thus be seen that the whole series of upwardly extending portions 25 of the spring arms 24 are firmly held adjacent to l .v Ithe lower part of the head 10 between said head and the fastening band 26 by means 0f the screws 27 extended through the band 26 and the portions 25 and screwed into the holes 14. (See Figures 1, 4 and 6).

It will also be noted from the foregoing i description that when the shaft 15 is rotated, the head 10 will rotate therewith and thus rotate the rubbing element 20 and the resilient devices' 24. Thus when the rubbing element 20 is pressed againstia surface to be rubbed or the article to be rubbed is pressed against the rubbing element`20 and the shaft 15 is held against longitudinal movement", and is rotated, such surface to be rubbed iwill be frictionally engaged and rubbed or polished by the rubbing element 20, and the resilient devices 24 yieldingly lip engaging the rubbing element 20 at a variety of points will make it possible to use bodies, which have many curved portions,v

and the like. It is, of course, also adapted to be used in rubbing and polishingfloors, counters, cedar chests, bookcases, pianos and a great variety of other articles and surfaces.

For convenience in holding the shaft 15 in the hand, there is loosely mounted on the shaft a tubular sleeve 28 orn which adjacent to the head '10 is a hand guard 29, having a central disc-shaped portion 30 adapted to bear against the upper surface of the head 10, so that the head 10 rotates adjacent to said portion 30. It should perhaps be mentioned that the hand guard 29 is somewhat hell-shaped with a back curved outer portion and that the shape and size o.f the hand guard 29 is such that when the thickness of the pad 20 is taken into consideration, the plate 21 can never be pressed to engage the surface to be rubbed where that surface is either flat or concave. In other words when the parts are in the position shown in Figure l, the lowermost part of the hand guard pressing against-the pad 20 would hold that pad lwith its lower surface in a plane below the level of .the plate 21 in the assembled device. This is of some importance in that the hand guard 29 serves a double purpose as a hand uard ,and also as a means for preventing t e pressing of the springs and the pad 20 into such shape as tocause the plate 21 to engage the surface to be rubbed.

The shaft 15 may be connected with any suitable source of power for thus imparting rotation to the head 10, but as here illustrated, I have shown theshaft 15 connected as at 31 with a link 32 of a flexible shaft structure 33.

It will thus be seen that the sleeve 28 can be grasped and when the flexible shaft structure is connected with a source of power, the rubbing mechanism maja be moved freely from place to place for finishing any desired surface.

What I have called the under-surface of the rubbing element 20 may be dipped into a mixture of an abrasive and water or oil and then applied to the surface to be rubbed and rapidly rotated.

I prefer, however, to supply abrasive to the under surface of the rubbing element 20 preferably near the central part thereof in the manner-now to be more fully explained.

Suitably supported in any proper way is a supply tank 34 for abrasive. This may be supported upon a platform 35, whichin turn is held by hangers 36 and rollers 37 from a track or the like 38.

The tank 34 preferably has a tapered lower portion 34a from which there extends downwardly a feed pipe or the like 39 cornmunicating with and extending away from which are one or more tubes 40, for example on opposite sides thereof.

yA water or' li uid supply tube 41 com-` municates with t e lower end of the feed pipe 39. A valve 42 is provided for controlling the flow of liquid from the ipe 41 into the feed pipe 39, as shown in igure 8. Valves 43 are arranged to control the flow from the feed pipe 39 to thetubes 40. v

Branch pipes 44 connect the pipe or hose 41 at points vbeyond the valve 42 with relation to the feed pipe 39 directly with the tubes 40, aus shown in Figure 9. Valves 45 control the flow of liquid from the pipe or .hose 41 to the tubes 40.

Supported on the platform 35'is a motor or source of power 46, having the drivmg shaft 47.

Journaled in suitable bearings, as at y48 and 49, is an upright driven shaft 50, which is operatively connected as at 51 with the flexible shaft structure 33, already mentioned.

-A shaft 52 is journaled in the member 53 at the upper end of the tank 34 and extends downwardly through the tank and into the feed pipe 39, having its lower end journaled, as at 54 (see Figure 8).

On the shaft 52 in the feed pipe 39 is a spiral wormor the like 55 for agitating pumice stone or other abrasive received in the tank 34. v

On the shaft 52 is fixed a member 56 fro which stirring or agitating arms 57 project outwardly into the tank 34. 4On the shaft 52 above the tank 34 is a belt pulley v58 aligned with a belt pulley 59 on the shaft 50. A belt60 travels on the pulleys 58 and 59 for imparting rotation-:from the shaft 50 to the shaft 52 and thereby operatingthe agitator arms 57 and the worm 55.

It may be said in this connection that the worm 55 does not entirely and snugly fit the feed pipe 39, but that there is some clearance between it and the interior of that pipe.

The tubes 40 are connected with flexible tubes 61, which extend to and communicate with small pipes or tubes'62 arranged adjacent to and supported on the sleeve 28 and vhaving the controlling valves 63.

The tubes 62, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, extend downwardly through the discshaped portion 30 of the guard29 into the opening 11 down to and projecting into the enlargedl portion 11aL thereof.

- The lower or discharge ends of the tubes 62 are arranged opening radially outwardly, v

as illustrated for instance in Figure 1, so as to discharge under the overhanging flange formed above the outer portion of the enlarged art 11a of the opening 11.

It Will e noted that the tubes 62 are stationary and connected with the sleeve 28 i 64, so that it Will travel to the open upper ends of the tubes 22 and thence through the' tubes 22, being driven by the force of the additional following material, and being thus fed to What I have for convenience called the underside of the rubbing element 2O near the central portion thereof.

I find that the abrasive' thus fed to the underside of the rubbing element will be properly distributed as the machine is moved abouton the surface being rubbed or polished.

I Will now describe somewhat in sequence the operation of my improved machine.

The .finely divided abrasive, such as pumice stone, rotten stone, alundum, sand or others suitable for any desired purpose, may be placed in the tank 34.

It is, of course, understood that the hose or pipe 41 is connected with a` suitable source of Water or other liquid supply.

It will be understood that the parts are assembled as hereinbefore explained.

Ordinarily one tube 61 Will supply all the abrasive and liquid necessary for efiicient operation; the other furnishes, as it were, a spare The Water and liquid are mixed in thel tank 34 before any work is started.

1 IAssuming then that it is desired to use the mechanism for rubbing operations and f to supply the abrasive through` one of the tubes 61, the appropriate valves 63 and 43 are opened and all the other .valves are closed. The motor is turned on and the abrasive Will'flow from the tank, being agitated by the members 57 and 55, through the feed pipe 39, the appropriate tube 40, the flexible tube 61, the appropriate tube 62 to the rotating head, where it travels outside the catch Walls 64 to and through the tubes 22 to the rubbing element 20.

The nrubbing' element 20 is rotated at a speed appropriate for the Work to be done. The rubbing element 20 may be pressed against the Work with whatever ypressure is desired for the purpose, and the flow of abrasive can be readily regulated by means of theivalves 63 and 43, so as to feed just the right amount for the purpose.

As a rubbing element 2O is applied to the v surface to be polished or finished, the springs '24 will cause the element 20 to engage every part of the surface to be finished, even though that surface is not flat. A curved Wall or surface can be properlyfinished with the abrasive in the rotary head, this can be1^ done `by opening the other valve 45 for permitting the flow of any desired amount of Water or other liquid directly to the rotary head and thence to the rubbing element.

I have found by actual experience that with a rotating rubbing element of the kind hereinv described With a plurality of resiliently pressed areas or parts, I can finish A a given area or surface in a substantially quicker time than can be done by hand and a finer, smoother and more uniform finish can be obtained.

The Workman with a little experience can accurately regulate the flow of abrasive and also regulate the pressure on the rubbing element so as to accurately and artistically secure the desired finish.

It will be understood that some changes may be made in the details of construction and lthe arrangement of the parts of my improved device, and that the present showing is intended tobe illustrative, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included. within their scope.

` rotatable head, a rubbing element secured thieretoand extending radially therebeyond.

a plurality of fiat springs secured to said head and extending away therefrom adjaf cent to said rubbing element land normally -holding the rubbing element in the shape of a truncated cone.

3. Ina device of the class described, a

Secured to said head, yielding devices supported b said rub in tances radial y outwardly from the head and said head and presslng against element for substantial disnormally holding the rubbing element in the shape of a truncated cone, and a hand guard supported adjacent to said head and receivingsaid head and serving as a means for limiting the movement of the vrubbing element in one direction.

4. In a device of the class described, a rotary head, a substantially cone-shaped rubbing element, va plurality of yielding devices supported by the head and projecting therefrom adjacent t0 one surface of the rubbing element, said head having an annular channel, passages extending from the channel to the rubbing side of the rubbing element, means for discharging abrasive and liquid into saidr channel anda wall adjacent each passage for directing such abrasive and liquid into said passages.

5. In a device of the class described, a rotary head, a substantially cone-shaped rubbing element, a plate adjacent to one surface of therubbing element for securing the 'element to the head, a plurality of yielding devices supported by the head and projecting therefrom adjacent to the other surface of the rubbing element, and shaped to normally hold the rubbing element in the form of a truncated cone, said plate having tubes open at both ends and extending through the rubbing element and into said head, means for discharging abrasive and liquid into said head and a deflector arranged adjacent the end of each tube for causing such abrasive and liquid to enter the tubes.

6. In a device of the class described, a tubular sleeve, a shaft rotatable therein, a head secured to said shaft, a substantially cone-.shaped rubbing element having one surface secured to said head, a plurality of yielding devices supported by the head and projectmg therefrom adjacent'tothe other surface of the rubbing element, a guard member secured to said tubular sleeve for limiting the movement of the rubbing element in one direction, means for discharging abrasive and liquid into said head and means operative due to the rotation of the head for collecting such abrasive and liquid and conducting it to the rubbing element, said means comprising conducting tubes and deflector walls.

7. In a device of the class described, a head, a shaft having a screw-threaded-connection with said head, a flexible rubbing element, means for securing said flexible rubbing element to said head, comprising a plate and a screw extended through said plate and said rubbing element and having a screw-threaded connection with said shaft, means extending into the rubbing element and the head for holding them against relative rotation, resilient members supported on said head for engaging said rubbing element in a plurality of substantially radial lines, and an inverted cupshaped hand guard on said head receiving the head and serving as a limiting means for the movement of the dexible rubbing element in one direction.

8. In a device of .the class described, a head having at one end a cylindrical opening provided with an enlarged portion at its inner part, a flexible rubbin element adjacent to the-other side of sai head, a plate adjacent to the rubbing element, means jor fastening the ,rubbing element and the plate together, said head having a tubular member projecting through said rubbing element and communicating with the enlarged portion of' said cylindrical opening, and yielding devices supported by said head for engagin said rubbing element.

9. In a head having at one end a cylindrical opening provided with an enlarged portion at its inner part, a flexible rubbing element adjacent to the other side of said head, al plate adjacent to the rubbing element,

means for fastening the rubbing element and the plate together, said head having a tubular member projecting through said rubbing element and communicatin with the enlarged ortion of said cylindrica opening, yielding devices supported by said head for evice of the class described, aV

engaging said rubbing element, and means for supplying abrasive to said opemng.

Des Moines, Iowa, May 21, 1924.

' LLOYD L. ROSS. 

